Runway excursion involving SAFI Airways Boeing 737-400 at Kabul International Airport

No fatalities • Kabul, Afghanistan • Landing (descent or approach)

A Boeing 737-400 operated by SAFI Airways experienced a runway excursion and landing gear failure during touchdown at Kabul International Airport on 10 December 2016.

What happened

On 10 December 2016, a Boeing 737-400, registration JY-JAQ, was performing a scheduled domestic passenger service from Herat Airport to Kabul International Airport under a wet lease for SAFI Airways. The flight, carrying 164 passengers and 9 crew members, was cleared for an ILS approach to runway 29. Weather conditions at the time of arrival indicated a visibility of 6 km and winds from 150 degrees at 7 knots.

Upon touchdown on runway 29, the flight crew reported experiencing significant vibrations. In response to the vibration, the crew engaged the brakes and reverse thrust. During this period, the aircraft began to veer toward the right side of the runway. The aircraft eventually came to a stop left of the runway centerline, approximately 3,806 feet past the runway threshold. During the excursion, the aircraft rested on its left main landing gear and the right engine, with the nose gear lifted into the air.

Following the stop, the pilot declared an emergency, and an evacuation was ordered from the left side of the aircraft. Airport rescue and fire services arrived to find smoke emitting from the right side of the aircraft and applied foam to the number two engine. There were 0 fatalities and 0 injuries reported among the 173 people on board.

Findings

The aircraft suffered substantial structural damage, specifically the separation of the right main landing gear, which caused the aircraft to skid on the right engine cowlings.

Probable cause

The separation of the right main landing gear caused the aircraft to veer off the runway centerline during the landing roll.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-12-10 Boeing 737-400 accident near Kabul, Afghanistan?

A Boeing 737-400 operated by SAFI Airways experienced a runway excursion and landing gear failure during touchdown at Kabul International Airport on 10 December 2016.

Were there any fatalities in the 2016-12-10 Boeing 737-400 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-12-10 involved a Boeing 737-400, registration JY-JAQ, operated by Safi Airways, at Kabul, Afghanistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The separation of the right main landing gear caused the aircraft to veer off the runway centerline during the landing roll.

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